Paraglider rescued from Slieve Gullion

February 6, 2017

An extensive mountain rescue operation was launched on Sunday afternoon for an injured paraglider stranded on Slieve Gullion Mountain. The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team received a request for assistance from an injured paraglider at around 1.43pm on Sunday afternoon.

In a statement released after the rescue operation had come to a close over four hours later, a Mourne Rescue Team spokesperson said,

“The casualty was part of a group paragliding on Slieve Gullion when the accident occurred. The team had been training in the Annalong Valley when the call came in and were able to respond immediately.

“Police and an NIAS Paramedic were already on the scene and treating the casualty for a serious leg injury. When the Mourne Rescue Team arrived on scene the casualty was then immobilised and packaged for evacuation.

“Due to the nature of the injury, the team requested the assistance of Rescue 116 from Dublin. The casualty was subsequently airlifted to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

“A total of 22 members responded and the team stood down at 6.17pm,” read the statement before adding a note of thanks to the many people involved including local Police, NIAS, HMCG, ICG and Rescue 116.